Dr. Steve Demarais
Mississippi State University Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries

Dr. Bronson Strickland
Mississippi State University Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries

Chad Dacus
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks

Graduate Research Assistants

Michael P. Dye
Mississippi State University Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries

The reproductive timing and success of white-tailed deer are
important to managers. We evaluated the reproductive variability of
pen-raised deer and wild populations within Mississippi and
investigated effects of age, body condition, and moon phase on
conception dates. We also examined the reproductive potential of
doe fawns from three regions of Mississippi. Individual conception
dates varied more than expected and were not related to moon phase.
Age affected individual conception date, although the effect may
have been confounded by estimated gestation length. Population
level variation was less than reported and could not be explained
by moon phase or late-winter body condition. One of 65 doe fawns
bred. The critical mass for reproduction may be lower in
Mississippi than previous reports for the northern United States.
Regional variation in fawn breeding based on yearling lactation
rates warrants additional research.